Prep Football: Rivalry vs. Lake Wales Not New for Butler

Published: Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 8:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 8:24 p.m.

Wrapping up the regular season against rival Lake Wales is nothing new to Bartow head coach Jason Butler.

He may be in his first season leading the Yellow Jackets from the sidelines, but the Bartow alum was in this situation plenty during his playing days. He finished his career just 2-3 against the Highlanders, but both wins came as a senior during Bartow's 1996 state championship season.

"There's still a lot of emotion for a lot of people with this game," said Butler, who also served as an assistant coach at Lake Wales from 2003-04. "The (players) do need to recognize that it is very, very important to a lot people … it's always a big-time game going into it."

While Friday will represent the season finale for Bartow (2-6), it will serve as more than just a postseason tune-up for the playoff-bound Highlanders. Lake Wales limped to a 5-4 overall record after battling through injuries this season.

That proved to be enough to clinch the Class 5A, District 10 title, and Lake Wales will host Riverview Spoto next week. But even with the postseason on the horizon, the Highlanders aren't looking ahead to next week.

"The communities respect each other, but they don't like losing to each other. It's a big thing," Lake Wales head coach Rod Shafer said. "When Michigan plays Ohio State, it doesn't matter if one's going to (the) playoffs or not. Our kids won't look by this game for the playoffs, I can guarantee that."

Lake Wales will again be without suspended senior defensive back Dedric Brinson and injured center Luke Hiers. Shafer said that Hiers is practicing and should be ready to return next week, while Brinson's FHSAA suspension will be up after this week.

"I thank the Lord that we've got people healed," said Shafer, who's won five straight against Bartow since returning to Lake Wales in 2008. "Our goal is to get out without being hurt. I've said all along, when we've got everybody, we're as good as anybody. I just think we've got a shot to be pretty good. I like being the dark horse coming into stuff."

The county's co-leader with 18 rushing touchdowns, junior tailback Justin Henderson will key a Lake Wales offense coming off a 76-point romp against Tenoroc last week. Meanwhile, Bartow will be led by senior quarterback Dimitri Leverett, who will look to lead his team to their first win over Lake Wales since 2005.

Though Butler and his Yellow Jackets would rather be preparing for the postseason than what they're going to do in the offseason, there's still motivation to end the season with a senior-night win over their playoff-bound rivals.

"It's still going to be emotional no matter who you play," Butler said. "That's kind of the sad part of this week was the realization that it is here. This week, there was a lot of reflection back and a lot of hard knocks — this is going to be our last time together — so let's get out there and get it done."

The teams will take to the field at Bartow Memorial Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

<p>Wrapping up the regular season against rival Lake Wales is nothing new to Bartow head coach Jason Butler.</p><p>He may be in his first season leading the Yellow Jackets from the sidelines, but the Bartow alum was in this situation plenty during his playing days. He finished his career just 2-3 against the Highlanders, but both wins came as a senior during Bartow's 1996 state championship season.</p><p>"There's still a lot of emotion for a lot of people with this game," said Butler, who also served as an assistant coach at Lake Wales from 2003-04. "The (players) do need to recognize that it is very, very important to a lot people … it's always a big-time game going into it."</p><p>While Friday will represent the season finale for Bartow (2-6), it will serve as more than just a postseason tune-up for the playoff-bound Highlanders. Lake Wales limped to a 5-4 overall record after battling through injuries this season.</p><p>That proved to be enough to clinch the Class 5A, District 10 title, and Lake Wales will host Riverview Spoto next week. But even with the postseason on the horizon, the Highlanders aren't looking ahead to next week.</p><p>"The communities respect each other, but they don't like losing to each other. It's a big thing," Lake Wales head coach Rod Shafer said. "When Michigan plays Ohio State, it doesn't matter if one's going to (the) playoffs or not. Our kids won't look by this game for the playoffs, I can guarantee that."</p><p>Lake Wales will again be without suspended senior defensive back Dedric Brinson and injured center Luke Hiers. Shafer said that Hiers is practicing and should be ready to return next week, while Brinson's FHSAA suspension will be up after this week.</p><p>"I thank the Lord that we've got people healed," said Shafer, who's won five straight against Bartow since returning to Lake Wales in 2008. "Our goal is to get out without being hurt. I've said all along, when we've got everybody, we're as good as anybody. I just think we've got a shot to be pretty good. I like being the dark horse coming into stuff."</p><p>The county's co-leader with 18 rushing touchdowns, junior tailback Justin Henderson will key a Lake Wales offense coming off a 76-point romp against Tenoroc last week. Meanwhile, Bartow will be led by senior quarterback Dimitri Leverett, who will look to lead his team to their first win over Lake Wales since 2005.</p><p>Though Butler and his Yellow Jackets would rather be preparing for the postseason than what they're going to do in the offseason, there's still motivation to end the season with a senior-night win over their playoff-bound rivals.</p><p>"It's still going to be emotional no matter who you play," Butler said. "That's kind of the sad part of this week was the realization that it is here. This week, there was a lot of reflection back and a lot of hard knocks — this is going to be our last time together — so let's get out there and get it done."</p><p>The teams will take to the field at Bartow Memorial Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.</p>